Zone

Crash of a Cessna 207A Skywagon in Koror: 9 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1998
Registration:
RP-C606
Survivors:
No
MSN:
207-0105
YOM:
1969
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane was completing a charter flight with seven passengers and two pilots on board. While approaching Koror Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. The crew decided to abandon the approach and made a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, a second attempt to land was also abandoned, as well as a third and a fourth attempt. During the fifth approach, the aircraft crashed few km from the airport, killing all nine occupants. It was reported that the crew was trying to land under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24M-15-CO Liberator in Koror: 11 killed

Date & Time: May 4, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
44-42058
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Angaur - Angaur
MSN:
5994
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
Departed Angaur Airfield to attack Japanese positions on Koror Island. While approaching the target, the aircraft christened 'Brief' was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and was hit between the engine number two and the fuselage. The left wing detached, causing the aircraft to dive into the ground and to crash. A crew member survived while ten others were killed. The only survivor was later executed by Japanese soldiers.
Crew:
Sgt Floyd C. Bennett,
2nd Lt Irving R. Brown,
2nd Lt Glen R. Custer,
2nd Lt Norbert J. Giese,
Cpl Richard E. Grimes,
2nd Lt Wallace F. Kaufman,
Cpl Albin D. Rynkiewicz,
Cpl Robert N. Shillenn,
T/Sgt James R. Tenney,
Cpl Irving Topp,
Cpl Victor B. Wilson.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner off Koror: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45279
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Koror - Koror
MSN:
45279
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a test flight off Koror. As it prepares to land, the seaplane hit the water surface and came to rest. Both pilots were rescued while both other crew members, the radio navigator and the flight engineer, were killed.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3D Mariner off Koror: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
48189
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
48189
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a night maritime patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean. En route, the pilot encountered unclear technical problems and reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. On landing, the seaplane overturned and sunk some 200 km off Koror, Palau Island. While seven crew members were rescued, three others were killed.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical failure.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner off Koror: 10 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
48165
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
48165
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While performing a reconnaissance mission over the Pacific Ocean, pilots lost control of the aircraft following an engine failure. The seaplane crashed into the sea off Palau Island and was lost. All ten crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.